1. Pentominoes in Math and Art
Fall 2012
Cheryl McAllister

2. Polyominoes – general information
Word coined by Solomon W. Golomb in 1954
Definition – a polyomino is the joining of congruent squares at a side, vertex to vertex.
The domino, the joining of two squares, is the most common of the polyominoes.

3. Types of Polyominoes Monomino – 1 square – 1 form
Domino – 2 squares – 1 form
Triomino – 3 squares - 2 forms
Tetromino – 4 squares – 5 forms
Pentomino – 5 squares – 12 forms
Hexomino – 6 squares – 35 forms

4. Mathematical Concepts that can be explored using polyominoes
Area
Perimeter
Symmetry
Tessellations
Folding nets
Problem solving

5. Pentomino Solution as Art http://pentomino.classy.be/meninge.html

6. How are Pentominoes used in art?
Guenter Albrecht-Buehler

7. Polyominoes can be a puzzle or a game
Have you played Tetras?
Determine what the 12 different pentomino shapes are.
Use all 12 shapes to make a rectangle – 3719 solutions
Blokus – a board game using Polyominoes
2001 A Space Odessey